Weekly Update

Dear Members,

One of the members on the CRANAplus Board of Directors is taking a three-month leave of absence. This provides our board an exciting opportunity to select someone for a short-term appointment to the board. The interim period will be for April, May and June of 2010 and will require a few hours of input per month. The board sees this as a great opportunity to get fresh input as well as allow a member to gather insight into the governance functions of CRANAplus. Interested members are requested to submit a maximum of 100 word biography and Curriculum vitae (CV) for the board’s consideration. Submissions should be directed to CRANAplus President Chris Cliffe at cliffe@internode.on.net. For a discussion about this role please call contact Carole Taylor, CEO of CRANAplus at 08 8959 1101.

The other exciting news we have to report is that new members are rolling in and we're expecting to reach a membership milestone this financial year. Keep watch for an exciting announcement!

Cheers,
Christopher Cliffe
CRANAplus President
 

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First Line Emergency Care Update

Steve Batten from the First Line Emergency Care (FLEC) administration team reports that the 2010 courses continue to fill quickly with 8 out the next 11 courses already booked out.

Anyone interested in attending one of those courses, can register your details on our ‘Wait List’ and should a spot become available, you will be contact straight away.

The REC course in Broken Hill in May has 11 spots free and the Halls Creek course in June has 14. The new MIDUS course in Broome during April has 8 spots free. Register online now to avoid disappointment.
 

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Bush Support Service Update

A special message to CRANAplus members and all remote health professionals in the flood stricken areas of Queensland and New South Wales, and the storm stricken areas of Victoria, just a reminder that the Bush Support Line is open day and night, every day of the year. If you feel the need to talk to someone, please don't hesitate to call 1800-805-391 - a safe place to for you to talk things over before life gets out of hand. Repeat callers have the opportunity of talking to the same counselling psychologist on request.

Bush Support Services information packs and self-care booklets have been mailed to remote health professionals in flood effected areas.
 

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Input Requested

Suicide Prevention Australia has developed a draft position statement on: Crisis Response and the Role of the Emergency Services and First Responders to Suicide, Suicide Attempts and Self-Harm.

The development of this position statement has being assisted and facilitated by an expert reference group, who have contributed their knowledge and experiences in the area of crisis response. In addition to their valuable input we would like to extend the opportunity for contribution to other members of the community. It is in this regard that we now distribute the draft for community consultation. We would greatly appreciate your feedback, comments and suggestions on the attached draft, particularly those sections that relate to your experience and knowledge in the area of crisis response to suicide. The closing date for feedback is close of business on Friday the 19th of March 2010. The final document shall be launched and distributed during April 2010.

Please distribute this draft to colleagues, community members or other people who may have some interest in providing their feedback.

Previous SPA position statements can be viewed in full online via the SPA website
 

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Meetings & Conferences

The 28th CRANAplus Conference
13-16 October 2010
Adelaide, SA

The Australian Practice Nurses Association 2nd Annual Conference 'Golden Opportunities'
6-8 May 2010
Gold Coast, QLD

2010 Primary Health Care Research Conference
Primary health care research and health reform: Improving care
30 June - 2 July 2010
Darwin, NT

The 4th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Association of Suicide Prevention
‘Suicide Prevention: A Dialogue Across Disciplines and Cultures’
17- 20 November 2010
Brisbane, QLD

2nd Rural & Remote Mental Health Symposium "Winds of Change: New Perspectives on Rural and Remote Mental Health"
29-30 September 2010
Canberra, ACT

Australia's health 2010 Conference- The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
23 June 2010
Canberra, ACT

Aboriginal Health Conference 2010
26 - 27 June, 2010
Perth, WA

Inaugural National Indigenous Drug and Alcohol Conference "listening, learning and leading"
16 May 2010
Adelaide, SA

Seminar to Address ’Time Bomb’ in Rural Health
Rural Health Leadership Seminar
8 - 10 April 2010
Wollongong, NSW

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Educational Opportunities

CRANAplus/YNA Undergraduate Scholarships
Each year CRANAplus in partnership with Your Nursing Agency (YNA) offer a total of six $1000 scholarships. These scholarships are available to students who as part of their undergraduate course of study in a health discipline at an Australian University, undertake a remote location placement.

Recovery from Trauma: What Works
Award winning program is intended for people who have experienced a traumatic event, or are close to someone who has, and need help to cope with the experience.
Pre-recorded satellite broadcast nationally on Tuesday 16th March 8.00pm NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS; 7.30pm SA; 7.00pm QLD; 6.30 NT; 5pm WA

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Articles of Interest

HEALTH GROUP WARNS OF A 'RENAL TSUNAMI'
Australia is facing a "renal tsunami" because of government bickering, according to the Northern Territory Aboriginal health organisation, AMSANT.

FEDERAL ACTION DEMANDED ON DIALYSIS DILEMMA
The Senate has voted in favour of a Greens' motion calling on the federal government to intervene in a deadlock between the South Australian and Northern Territory governments over renal dialysis patients.

REFORM WON'T HELP REMOTE CANCER PATIENTS
Cancer patients in remote areas won't benefit from the federal government's health reforms if travel assistance remains a state responsibility, lobbyists say.

INTERVENTION HAS STALLED HOUSING: WOMAN
The federal intervention has stalled progress in areas like housing, says a 30-year-old woman from the Numbulwar community in southeast Arnhem Land.

NO NEW FUNDS FOR HOSPITAL NETWORKS SET-UP
The federal government says the states and territories will not receive any additional funding to set up its proposed local hospital networks.

ABORIGINAL INFANT MORTALITY RATE FALLS
Australia's Aboriginal infant mortality rate is falling and is on track to be equal with the non-indigenous rate by 2018, a new report shows.

CHILDHOOD FOOD ALLERGY 'AN EPIDEMIC'
Childhood allergy rates have hit "epidemic proportions" in Australia, prompting health experts to broaden their efforts to combat the mysterious condition.

SUNSCREENS COULD DAMAGE YOUR HEALTH, RESEARCHER WARNS
Nanoparticles used to make some sunscreens transparent may also be toxic, according to Australian research.

STRONGER VOICE FOR INDIGENOUS WOMEN
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island women will have a new forum to raise issues of concern and develop their own solutions through the establishment of the new National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Alliance.

BHP BILLITON SUPPORTS NURSE PRACTITIONER REVIVE CLINIC IN THE PILBARA
Australia's only Nurse Practitioner Health Clinic, Revive Clinic, opened in Port Hedland with funding support from BHP Billiton Iron Ore.

NEW RESEARCH TARGETS RURAL DISABILITY SERVICES
A new research project into the provision of therapy services, launching today, is expected to benefit those with disabilities in far west New South Wales.

ABORIGINAL HEALTH SERVICES WELCOME FEDERAL OVERHAUL
An alliance of Aboriginal medical services has welcomed the Prime Minister's plan for a new national health system.

AUSTRALIA'S HEALTH 2010 REPORT TO BE RELEASED
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare will launch their flagship report Australia’s Health 2010 at a national conference in Canberra on 23 June 2010.
 

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